The Portland daily press., 1887-10-05
NEWS ABROAD.
Gladstone Sees the Dawn OF Better
Days.

LONDON, Oct. 4.-Speaking to a deputa-
tion at Hawarden today. Mr.. Gladstone said
that although the Liberals sustained a
smashing defeat at the last election, the
present year was full Of signs that the judg-
ment OF the nation, when again pronounced.
would be far different. The Irish question
continued to cast into a deep shade every
other. 1t was to the interest of all parties
to have the question settled. 1t would be a
matter for unfeigned joy to him II the Tories
should relieve the Liberals of the task of
solving the problem by presenting to Ireland
the measure Of justice she is entitled to re-
ceive. Such an event would cast upon him
the delightful duty of assisting the Tories to
attain the righteous and necessary end.
lCneers.l He did not believe the end would
be long delayed Little progress was possi-
BILE in English and Scoth affairs until the
Irish question could be brought to happy
consummation. 1t was said he caused a
block in the last session of Parliament. The
fact was he had not made single proposal
during the whole session. Not by him or by
the friends Of progress were affairs stopped
1t was because the government found it
necessary to occupy the time Of Parliament
with miserable, mischievous and retro
gressive proposals. lCheers.l
Referring to the Liberal Unionists, lie said
he would not find fault with their conscien-
tious opposition. At the same time their
whole conduct was animated by an animosi-
ty and hostility to Ireland. They did eyery-
thing In their power to deprive the Liberal
party of all influence and vitality. IL was
deplorable position for gentlemen pro-
Tossing Liberalism [cheersl, and sympathy
his mind. They had always been weak
kneed Liberals. The present case was not
the first one In which the Liberals had
found that the freedom of judgment which
prevailed In the Liberal party made 1t liable
to that calamity. Time would show those
who left the party to be egregiously in the
wrong. 1t was a misnomer to call these
men Liberal Unionists. There was no
Unlonism in them. Theirs was a policy
which tended to destroy the Union. It was
equally difficult to describe them as Liberals.
while they supported the government OF CO.
erclon. IL was not coercion to repress crime,
Dut coercion to suppress freedom OF speech.
public assemblies and even the freedom OF
the press.
He had recently seen indications OF police
interference with public meetings in london
Ihe Liberals had warned the people of Eng
land that the cause Of Ireland was their
cause: They had no idea that the warning
would be soon verified. If reports were
true the police called at midnight at the
houses Of persons who intended TO speak at
the London meeting, demanding TO know the
objects OF the programme Of the meeting 1t
was gross outrage. Such action was con-
trary to the whole spirit Of liberty, and VIC
lently at variance with the traditions OF Eng
land. From mere party point of view he
might say; Let the government 20 on.
Inc more offensive proceedings the sooner
we Will bring about the great object OF my
ne. In conclusion Mr.. Gladstone said his
constant prayer was for the speedy and sat
lsiaetory settlement of the Irish ques tion.
(Cheers)